thanks for the good wishes! it seems that my fiance is the only one encouraging me through this part. my parents aren't too thrilled...my dad wanted to be a firefighter back in the 70's, but he couldn't pass the physical part. he was a few classes away from his AS in fire science. I'm just doing it to volunteer and use my EMT skills for when I'm not working. I guess you could say it would be my hobby! hahaha!